Sapne Vs Everyone star, actor, writer and director Ambrish Verma knows what it takes to leave behind certainty in pursuit of passion. Walking away from a stable marketing and sales career to build a life as a full-time creator wasn’t an easy decision. In a recent episode of the iQOO Quest Talk podcast with Nipun Marya, Ambrish reflected on his journey from the corporate world to freelancing and the realities of building a career in the creative industry.
Looking back, Ambrish said deciding to quit his job wasn’t difficult. “The decision was very easy because I realised I didn’t want to do that anymore. The practical part of the decision was the tough one,” he shared. The biggest hurdle, he admitted, was overcoming societal expectations. “I had to be okay with meeting my friends who were earning well and progressing in their careers, while I wasn’t. Once I accepted that, the journey became much easier.”
Ambrish also challenged the common perception that creative careers offer more freedom than corporate jobs. Having appeared for competitive exams such as IEEE, IIT, CAT and GRE, he believes the effort required to succeed as a writer or director is unmatched. “I’ve done reasonably well in these exams, but the hard work needed in a creative profession doesn’t come close. It’s a completely different level of commitment.”
Recalling the making of NCR Days web series, he highlighted the intensity of creative work. “You have to let go of the nine-to-five mindset. I worked continuously for nearly three months without a single break. Your brain is screaming for rest, but you have to keep going.”
Encouraging aspiring creators to embrace the process, Ambrish stressed that success in a creative career comes from conviction, persistence and continuously honing one’s craft. His journey from a conventional career to becoming a successful creator is a reminder that pursuing meaningful work often requires stepping beyond comfort and trusting the process.